2nd Man Arrested In Abduction, Sexual Assault Case

WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) – A second man has been arrested in the alleged abduction and sexual assault of a mentally challenged teenager in Washington County.

Elmer Ramirez was taken into custody in Columbus, Ohio, and Jesus Tapia was arrested last week.

The FBI said the teenager was abducted from Elm Grove, W. Va., in July and brought to an apartment in Canton Township, Washington County, where she was held captive for four days while Tapia and others sexually assaulted her.

People who live nearby were shocked.

“It’s just crazy because it’s nice and quiet down around here, it’s usually no problems,” a neighbor said.

Although the alleged victim has limited mental capacity, investigators said she remembered the “Welcome to Pennsylvania” sign along the highway.

She remembered once having a meal at McDonald’s and once she was returned to Elm Gove, investigators found a McDonald’s receipt from the restaurant next door to the apartment in her pocket.

They also found a gum wrapper with a 614 area code phone number. The number was traced to Tapia.

A probe of cell phone towers between Washington County and Wheeling traced calls during her abduction to the area where she disappeared.

The U.S. Attorney in West Virginia says both suspects entered this country illegally. Both face detention hearings likely in the next few days.

Harold Hayes joined KDKA-TV in August of 1979 as a general assignment reporter and has covered everything from military operations in the Middle East to landmark local court cases.
His overseas coverage includes Operation Desert Shield in Saudi...